StarTech.com 7-Port USB Hub, USB A to 7x USB-A Ports, USB 5Gbps, Rugged Design, Bus or Self-Powered, Portable Laptop USB 3.0 Hub Expansion with Power Supply

Product Overview

AI-generated summary

For £42.76 ex-VAT, this StarTech 7-port USB-A hub is a sensible “workhorse” option if you regularly need extra ports for everyday peripherals—think keyboards, dongles, card readers, printers/scanners (without getting cute about bandwidth). StarTech tends to be solid on the basics, and the fact it’s a hub with its own power option is the big deal in the real world: bus-powered can be fine until you hit a power-hungry device, then things get flaky. A powered hub usually means fewer random disconnects and less fiddling.

That said, don’t buy this if your expectation is “high-speed storage-level performance across seven devices simultaneously.” This is a practical expansion hub, not a magic solution for moving big files quickly. Also, if you’re trying to build a docking station replacement for a lot of USB bandwidth (e.g., multiple external SSDs, capture devices, heavy USB peripherals), you’ll be better served by something more purpose-built—either fewer devices or a more comprehensive dock. Overall: good value for a busy office setup or field kit where reliability matters, and less ideal if you’re chasing maximum throughput or a one-hub-all-trades docking experience.